OUR DEFENSE by Mrs. M. J. Bahler

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 1, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 25.

OUR DEFENSE.

By Mrs. M. J. Bahler

"THE name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." This text of the blessed word has always seemed precious to me; but as I read it to-day those words, "strong tower," seemed to stand out in bold relief from the rest of the text, and then, as though written beside them, I seemed to see the words, "And thou, O Tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion." Christ is the tower of the flock; the stronghold of his people. Do storms come suddenly? Unto him they may run and be safe.

Satan cannot bring power enough to break down this defense of God's people. His darts cannot penetrate the walls of this tower. Here is "a refuge for the oppressed," and it is one to which we may "continually resort." David prayed, "Be thou my strong habitation whereunto I may continually resort." Dear fellow-pilgrim, when there is such a defense as this for us, why do we not continually resort thither?

If we will only make the name of our God our strong tower, by continually going to him when temptations press us sore, we shall always find that name is truly a refuge for the oppressed. The Lord has told us that he will be the strength of his people. Can we not then say from day to day, "My help is in the Lord that made the heaven and the earth"? If we make God's name our strong habitation we shall be safe. He will then be our "rock of defense," our fortress, which no enemy can take.

Other strongholds may fail, earthly fortresses may be captured, but the Captain of this fortress will never surrender. He fought the decisive battles long ago with his and our enemy, in the wilderness of temptation, in the garden of Gethsemane, and on the cross. There his soul-rending conflict ended. He came off triumphant, and now even his name is a tower of strength, of refuge, for all who will come to him. Then let us say: "He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved."

MRS. M. J. BAHLER.